Project News Story

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Phase 1 of the Uniontown to Brownsville Project

October 30, 2008

The 8.2 mile, $197 Million Phase 1 portion of the Mon/Fayette Expressway, Uniontown to Brownsville project opened to traffic on October 23, 2008.  A ribbon cutting ceremony was planned for that day, but was postponed out of respect for the family of Gilbert Eutsey, who died on October 20, 2008 while working on one of the Phase 2 contracts.  The funeral for Mr. Eutsey was held on October 23, 2008.

To start the October 30, 2008 ceremony, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission CEO, Joseph G. Brimmeier asked for a moment of silence for Mr. Eutsey and his family.

Phase 1 of the project extends from North Union Township to Redstone Township.  Phase 1 includes the Northgate Highway which connects Routes 40 and 51 to the Expressway near Uniontown and Redstone Way which connects the Expressway to the old Route 40 stub near Brownsville, interchanges at Old Pittsdburgh Road, Searights Road and Redstone Way and a Mainline Toll Facility near the Menallen/Redstone Township line.

The five Roadway construction contracts for Phase 1 were initiated in early 2006 and the Mainline Toll Facility construction contract was started in the spring of 2007. 

Mr. Brimmeier was supported by other speakers, including State Senator’s J. Barry Stout and Richard A. Kasunic, Representatives Joseph F. Markosek, H. William DeWeese, Peter J. Daley, Deborah Kula, and Tim Mahoney and Fayette County Board of Commissioners Chairman Vince Zapotosky. 

All drivers using the newly opened section will have to pay a $0.65 toll at the northbound off-ramp and southbound on ramp at the Searights Road interchange or $0.95 at the Mainline Toll Facility.

Phase 2 construction will extend westward 8 miles, from the interchange at Redstone Way over the Monongahela River on a 3013 foot long four-lane bridge, 160 feet above the river, and tie into Route 88 northward to Route 40. Interchanges are provided at Redstone Way, Bull Run Road via a new connector, and Route 88.

The four roadway contracts and Mon River Bridge contract that comprise Phase 2 were all initiated in the spring and summer of 2008. Phase 2 is planned for completion in late 2011 or early 2012. The West Virginia section that ties into Interstate Route 68 east of Morgantown, is expected to open around the same time. This will open the Expressway for 60 miles from I-68 near Morgantown West Virginia to Route 51 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.